On what's considered one of the most romantic days of the year, the last thing on your mind might be how healthy your food is. Fortunately, there are a few simple Valentine's Day food ideas that you can easily incorporate into your celebration, while also sticking to a healthy diet.

On what's considered one of the most romantic days of the year, the last thing on your mind might be how healthy your food is. Fortunately, there are a few simple Valentine's Day food ideas that you can easily incorporate into your celebration, while also sticking to a healthy diet.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of great joy, but they can also be a time of a ridiculous amount of stress. If holiday stress has become a major downer for you over the years, here are 10 tips that may help.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of great joy, but they can also be a time of a ridiculous amount of stress. If holiday stress has become a major downer for you over the years, here are 10 tips that may help.

By Delialah Falcon

As individuals age, they often find it increasingly difficult to perform
exercises that were once performed with ease. When this happens, some older
adults can become discouraged and may avoid exercise altogether. Others will
push themselves to perform exercises that are no longer recommended for them,
which can lead to strains, sprains and other injuries. Exercise is a must for
individuals looking to improve their overall health; however, the exercises that
are performed should be relative to the abilities of the individuals performing
them. To get the most out of an exercise routine, older adults should engage in
specific activities and exercises that are geared for a more mature age group.

1. Yoga

Yoga
is a relatively low impact workout that improves flexibility, strengthens
muscles and helps to relieve stress. Older adults who are just getting back into
an exercise routine can enjoy the benefits of a low impact yoga workout, which
focuses on a combination of breathing techniques, gentle exercises and
meditation. Because yoga relies on a non-strenuous approach to exercise, it is
appealing to older adults, especially those who present with physical
limitations.

2. Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an ancient exercise form that relies
on the use specific movements combined with deep breathing. This combination
helps to improve overall health by strengthening muscles, improving balance,
increasing range of motion and strengthening the mind-body connection. This type
of exercise is beneficial for older adults who have not exercised in many years
and want to start out slowly. It is also a good choice for older individuals who
suffer from arthritis or other conditions that result in chronic pain, as the
movements do not put any additional strain on bones or joints.

3. Swimming

Swimming
is an excellent way for older individuals to get in shape without risking
injury. The low-impact nature of swimming together with the buoyancy of the
water can help take pressure off of the joint and is a good option for those who
suffer from back and neck injuries. Swimming has the benefit of working every
single muscle group, including the heart and lungs, without relying on high
impact exercises.

4. Walking

Walking is a simple way for older adults to get started with an exercise
routine and improve their cardiovascular health. No special equipment is
required, and anyone can start walking at any time. Sedentary individuals can
start out with a quick 15 minute walk around the block. If weather conditions
are poor, a simple stroll around the mall or local store will suffice. As time
goes on, the duration and intensity of the walks can be gradually increased.
After just a few weeks of brisk walking, an overall improvement in general
health can be seen in most people.

5. Biking

Bikingis another option for older adults who are seeking a low-impact workout routine.
Not recommended for the beginner, it is a great exercise for individuals looking
to step up their performance to a moderate pace without engaging in high-impact
activities. Biking conditions the body, strengthens core muscles and legs, and
improves cardiovascular health.

6. Dancing

Dancing
is a fun and care free way to sneak in some exercise without feeling like you
are really exercising. This is an excellent activity for older adults who just
can't stand the thought of exercising and cannot bring themselves to make it
through a traditional workout. Dancing allows individuals to go at their own
pace, and aside from some good music, no special equipment is required.
Individuals can dance in the comfort of their own home, or can enroll in formal
dance classes. There are beginner dance classes for those just getting started
and advanced classes for those who are ready to turn it all the way up.

7. Outdoor Activities

Many older adults know that they need to exercise but just can't find the
motivation to participate in traditional exercise routines. For them, getting
involved in simple outdoor activities is a fun way to incorporate healthy living
while doing things they love. Gardening, hiking, yard work, rowing, golfing,
playing tennis and even bird-watching are simple ways to get the blood flowing
and the heart pumping. Whatever the outdoor activity you choose, the important
thing is to just get up and get moving.

8. Body Weight Exercises

Body weight exercises are simple to perform and don't require any special
equipment. Older adults can strengthen their muscles and improve stamina over
time by simply relying on their own body weight. These types of resistance
exercises include sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, lunges, squats, pelvic tilts,
knee extensions and step-ups on stairs.

9. Pilates

Pilates focuses on core muscles by combining conditioning movements and
strength training. Improving core muscles becomes increasingly important as you
age. This exercise technique improves flexibility, strengthens muscles and
improves mental health by utilizing a series of controlled movements. Not only
is the core responsible for stabilizing the back and the stomach, but it also
strengthens the urinary muscles to help prevent incontinence.

10. Free Weights

Although these types of exercises are not for beginners, they are an
excellent option for older adults who have mastered basic exercise routines and
would like to turn it up a notch. Using free weights, whether at home or at the
gym, can help bulk up muscles when basic workouts have become stagnant. Free
weights are beneficial for older adults because the amount of weight used can be
altered depending on the overall physical condition of the individual at the
time of the workout.

Physical activity is vital to a person's health, especially as the body ages.
If you cannot perform any of the activities listed, look for another means of
getting the blood flowing through regular, physical movement. (For information
on low-impact exercises suitable for the elderly, read Low-Impact
Aerobics: Easy Workouts For Anyone.)

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